Thursday, June 5, 2014

1 KILLED WHEN CAR RUNS UNDER 18-WHEELER – A Chico woman was killed Wednesday evening when her car ran underneath an 18-wheeler on Texas 101, just south of Chico. Maria Ruiz-Quezada, 52, was northbound in a Toyota Corolla on 101 about 6 p.m. when a 3 J Trucking tractor-trailer pulled out in front of her as it left Blue Star Materials. The truck was driven by Johnny Hothouse, 49, of Chico. Department of Public Safety Trooper Jeff Johnson said Ruiz-Quezada took evasive action to avoid a collision, swerving to the right side of the road, but hit gravel along the side of 101, lost control of the vehicle and spun into the southbound lanes. As her car entered the other lane of traffic, she hit a southbound Cowtown truck, and her car became lodged underneath the fourth axle of the 18-wheeler. The truck, driven by Ruiz Segundo, 54, of Fort Worth drug the car “a couple hundred feet,” according to Johnson. Ruiz-Quezada was pronounced dead at the scene by Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace Jan Morrow. Segundo was transported to Wise Regional Health System in Decatur by Medic 2, but Trooper Patrick Alonzo said he did not appear to be seriously injured. Hothouse was not injured. Seven DPS troopers were called to the scene, as well as Chico Fire Department.

BOND SALE EXCEEDS EXPECTATIONS – Wise Regional Health System hit a home run in the bond market Wednesday as it refinanced $87.6 million in 2004 construction bonds. The hospital refunded $87.6 million in bonds on which it was paying an average of 7.1 percent interest, and borrowed an additional $10 million for future projects. With all the costs of the transaction folded in, they got a 5.39 percent rate that will save them $11.4 million over the life of the bonds. The expectation was that they might save between $4 and $5 million. Read the complete story in the weekend Wise County Messenger.

GUILTY VERDICT, LIGHT SENTENCE – After finding Shaun Ray Mullinax guilty of injury to a child, a Wise County jury quickly gave him the lightest sentence possible Wednesday afternoon in Judge John Fostel’s 271st Judicial Court in Decatur. Testimony concluded Tuesday afternoon, and after final arguments Wednesday morning, the jury came back with a guilty verdict just after 1 p.m. They found that Mullinax, 33, did indeed hit his then-12-year-old son on Nov. 7, 2012, as he was punishing him at their home in a Rhome subdivision. The jury considered a punishment range from 2 to 20 years and deliberated only about 10 minutes before coming back to issue a two-year sentence. Assistant District Attorney Jay Lapham, who prosecuted the case, had asked for five, but said he was not unhappy with the jury’s decision. “This case was more about the guilt than it was about the punishment,” he said. “To take the affirmative action of holding the defendant accountable was much more important.”

GRADUATION – The Decatur High School Class of 2014 will graduate at 6 tonight at The Super Pit at the University of North Texas in Denton. Several local schools graduate at 7 p.m. Friday including Alvord (high school gym), Boyd (Yellowjacket Stadium), Bridgeport (high school gym), Chico (high school gym) and Paradise (high school gym).

BRIDGEPORT SUMMER FEEDING PROGRAM – Bridgeport ISD Summer Feeding Program is offering a free lunch to all children under the age of 18. Students do not have to register, show proof of age, proof of residency or proof of income. Lunch is being served at Bridgeport Elementary School Cafeteria, 1408 Elementary Drive from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Monday through Friday, beginning June 9, and continuing through the end of July. For more information, call Bridgeport ISD at 940-683-5124.

SONFLOWER CAMP REGISTRATION – It’s not too late to register as a camper or a buddy for Sonflower Camp for Kids with Disabilities. Everyone is welcome. Register at crossroadspeople.com or call 940-627-4222. The camp will be at Joe Wheeler Park in Decatur June 9-11. Arrive at 8:30 a.m. to check in and get your name tag. If it rains, camp will be held at Crossroads Church in Decatur. A swim party will be held 11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Friday, June 13, followed by a pizza party. Monday is Hawaii Day, Tuesday is Patriotic Day and Wednesday is Cowboy Day.

FUNERALS – Service for Gail Gray Pugh, 68, of Bridgeport is pending at Jones Family Funeral Home in Bridgeport.

FUNERAL for Hazel L. Sherman, 89, formerly of Decatur is 10 a.m. today at Coker-Hawkins Funeral Home in Decatur with burial at Pleasant Grove No. 1 Cemetery in Decatur.

FUNERAL for Ila Sue Reed, 90, of Decatur is 10:30 a.m. Friday at Cornerstone Baptist Church in Decatur with burial at Oaklawn Cemetery. Family visitation is 6-8 tonight at Coker-Hawkins.

GRAVESIDE service for Maxine Thorell Griffin, 86, of Rhome is 11 a.m. Friday at Aurora Cemetery. Family visitation is 6-8 tonight at Coker-Hawkins.

SERVICE for Matilde Ufret, 89, of Decatur is pending at Coker-Hawkins.